Engineering Commons^™

Truck Route Access Evaluation: Medusa Aggregates, Warren County, Site #2628, Brian Aldridge, Kenneth R. Agent, Lisa Aultman-Hall, David Cain, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Joel M. Weber

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Freight Movement and Intermodal Access in Kentucky Study (SPR 98-189), undertaken by the Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) on behalf of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), has two main objectives. These objectives include the evaluation of access for trucks between intermodal or other truck generating sites and the National Highway System (NHS) and furthering the understanding of freight commodity flows throughout the state. This report summarizes the access evaluation for one facility located in Warren County in the Barren River Area Development District (ADD) and KYTC Highway District #3. The location of the site is shown in Figure 1 while …

Embankment Construction Using Shale, Tommy C. Hopkins, Tony L. Beckham

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Shales have been used extensively in the construction of highway embankments, and other earthen structures, because of the vast amounts of these materials located in many areas of the country and the lack of economical and alternate available materials. Because shales exhibit a wide range of engineering properties and behaviors, many problems have occurred. Numerous shale embankment failures have occurred generally some 1 to 10 years after construction. Settlements of 1 to 3 feet (0.3 - 0.9 m) have been observed in many old embankments and required numerous asphaltic overlays. Shale embankments that settle continuously have been observed to fail …

Kentucky Traffic Accident Facts 1998 Report, Kentucky Transportation Center, Kentucky State Police

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY’S TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FACTS report for 1998 is based on accident reports submitted to the Accident Unit housed in the Kentucky State Police Information Services Branch, Records Section. As required by Kentucky Revised statutes 189.635, “every law enforcement agency whose officers investigate a vehicle accident of which a report must be made...shall file a report of the accident...within ten days after investigation of the accident upon forms supplied by the bureau.” The stated purpose of this requirement is to utilize date on traffic accidents” for such purposes as will improve the traffic safety program in the Commonwealth.” Data contained in …

Strategies For Evaluating Software Usability, Ronan Fitzpatrick

Articles

This paper presents a usage analysis and taxonomy of methods which are used to evaluate the usability of computer systems. To accommodate the analysis and taxonomy, a matrix of strategies which can be used for effective usability evaluation is presented. Such an analysis, taxonomy and strategies support human-computer interaction (HCI) professionals who have the responsibility for ensuring computer system usability. The strategies outlined are named Virtual Engineering, Soft Modelling, Hard Review and Real World. This paper also uses a composite set of existing popular generic evaluation methods which can be used as part of these strategies. The methods used are …

Macros By Example In A Graphical Uims, Dan R. Olsen Jr., Jonathan Turner, Stephen Bart Wood, John R. Dance

Faculty Publications

A macro facility that allows end users to extend interactive graphical applications is presented as part of a user-interface management system (UIMS). Such macros are expressed by example; that is, the end user programs the macro in the application's generated user interface. Problems with macros-by-example in graphical applications are explored, and requirements to accommodate such a facility are defined for the UIMS dialogue model. Existing UIMS models are reviewed relative to these requirements, and the unique facilities of the MIKE (menu interaction kontrol environment) semantics-based model are presented. The implementation of the macro-by-example system is discussed, as well as the …

Evaluation Of Toxicity, Bioavailability And Speciation Of Lead, Zinc And Cadmium In Mine/Mill Wastewaters, Mujde Erten-Unal, Bobby G. Wixson, Nord Gale, Jerry L. Pitt

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The toxicity of common compounds of lead, cadmium and zinc was evaluated in waters similar to that found in the world's largest lead producing area in Missouri. Static, acute toxicity tests were performed using fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) and water fleas (Daphnia magna) respectively. Test organisms were subjected to varying amounts of sulfide, carbonate, chloride and sulfate salts of lead, zinc and cadmium mixed in hard, alkaline waters typical to this region. Median lethal concentrations were calculated using nominal versus measured metal concentrations. Measured metal concentrations included four different metal fractionation (extraction/filtration) techniques at different pH …

Optimal Choices Of Potential Functions In Fuzzy Clustering, Vladik Kreinovich, Hung T. Nguyen, Yeung Yam

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

Fuzzy logic-based clustering techniques are widely used in situations where statistical assumptions are not valid. Whether in estimating cluster centers for model identification purposes or in determining clusters the existing techniques are essentially based upon the choice of some potential functions. As in any design problems of this kind, the choice of such a function has to be justified on a theoretical basis. In this work, we set up a decision frame work and show that optimal potential functions are the ones which are used in current techniques.

Cognitive Agents, Michael N. Huhns, Munindar P. Singh

Faculty Publications

Several researchers have proposed using cognitive concepts as a semantic basis for agent communications (M.N. Huhns and M.P. Singh, 1997). One of the leading candidates for such a semantics is based on Arcol, the communication language used within Artimis. Interestingly, this application (not only of Arcol, but also in general) appears extremely misguided. The intentional concepts are well suited to designing agents, but are not suited to giving a basis to a public, standardizable view of communication. A challenge for using the cognitive concepts is that although they are natural in several respects and can guide implementations, full blown implementations …

Personal Assistants, Michael N. Huhns, Munindar P. Singh

Faculty Publications

Already there are simple personal agents to help with some of our shopping. There are agents to track stocks in our portfolios, advise us on how to use particular software products, and arrange meetings within corporate workgroups. However, none of these agents takes more than one aspect of our activities into account, nor do they adapt easily to our preferences. Personal assistants, on the other hand, are agents that can represent individuals on the Web. They help users in their day-to-day activities, especially those involving information retrieval, negotiation, or coordination. A personal assistant might schedule a meeting and then, based …

All Agents Are Not Created Equal, Michael N. Huhns, Munindar P. Singh

Faculty Publications

As the technology advances, we can expect the development of specialized agents to be used as standardized building blocks for information systems. Two trends lend credence to such a prediction. First, software systems in general are being constructed with larger components, such as ActiveX and JavaBeans, which are becoming closer to being agents themselves. They have more functionality than simple objects, respond to events autonomously, and, most importantly, respond to system builders at development time, as well as to events at runtime. Moreover, there is a move toward more cooperative information systems, in which the architecture itself plays an important …

Anthropoid Agents, Michael N. Huhns, Munindar P. Singh

Faculty Publications

In the study of agents on the Internet, we often ascribe to them human qualities, such as beliefs and intentions. These qualities are best understood as metaphors that give developers a way to talk about and design the capabilities and applications of agents. Despite all the progress in computing, users have been slow to accept the technology. They have often accepted what was thrown at them, but only under economic duress. Bringing the technology closer to their emotional needs might ease this resistance. So how can we put a human face on computing? Maybe by putting an animated face on …

Cryptococcus Neoformans Chemotyping By Quantitative Analysis Of H-1 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra Of Glucuronoxylomannans With A Computer-Simulated Artificial Neural Network, Robert Cherniak, Homayoun Valafar, Laura C. Morris, Faramarz Valafar

Faculty Publications

The complete assignment of the proton chemical shifts obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of de-O-acetylated glucuronoxylomannans (GXMs) from Cryptococcus neoformanspermitted the high-resolution determination of the total structure of any GXM. Six structural motifs based on an α-(1→3)-mannotriose substituted with variable quantities of 2-O-β- and 4-O-β-xylopyranosyl and 2-O-β-glucopyranosyluronic acid were identified. The chemical shifts of only the anomeric protons of the mannosyl residues served as structure reporter groups (SRG) for the identification and quantitation of the six triads present in any GXM. The assigned protons for the mannosyl residues resonated at clearly …

Chromium Oxides And Lithiated Chromium Oxides. Promising Cathode Materials For Secondary Lithium Batteries, Pankaj Arora, Dong Zhang, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Chromium oxides and lithiated chromium oxides were synthesized by thermal decomposition of chromium trioxide (CrO3) at high temperatures and oxygen pressures. Synthesis temperature and pressure markedly affect the performance of these cathode materials. Higher pressures lead to a higher O/Cr ratio and fewer impurities in the final product. These materials are stable intercalation hosts for lithium, and exhibit a higher capacity than any of the prominent positive electrodes used in secondary lithium batteries. m-CrOx has a capacity of 255 mAh/g, while m-LiCrOx has a capacity of 210 mAh/g, during the first discharge. The average voltage of these cells is 3.0 …

The Role Of Oxygen At The Second Discharge Plateau Of Nickel Hydroxide, Sathya Motupally, Mukul Jain, Venkat Srinivasan, John W. Weidner

Faculty Publications

It was shown that the appearance of a secondary discharge plateau approximately 400 mV below the primary plateau can result from the reduction of oxygen. During the galvanostatic discharge of planar nickel-hydroxide films at room temperature and in 3 weight percent KOH solutions, the second discharge plateau was observed only in the presence of dissolved oxygen in the electrolyte. When the solution was deoxygenated, no residual capacity could be extracted from the films even at low discharge rates or from overcharged films. In addition, the duration of the second plateau is inversely proportional to the square of the discharge current, …

Steady-State Modeling Of A Parallel-Plate Electrochemical Fluorination Reactor, Kamal Jha, Gerald L. Bauer, John W. Weidner

Faculty Publications

A steady-state mathematical model of a parallel-plate reactor was developed for studying the electrochemical fluorination of organic compounds dissolved in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. The model incorporates two-phase flow with differential material, energy, and pressure balances. Profiles of temperature, pressure, vapor volume fraction, and current density in the reactor are presented at two inlet temperatures to provide insight into the operation of the reactor. The effects of the inlet temperature, feed flow rate, and cell current on the cell pack voltage and current efficiency of the reactor are presented to determine problematic operating regions for the reactor. Optimum operating currents based …

Electrochemical Investigations Of Cobalt-Doped Limn2O4 As Cathode Material For Lithium-Ion Batteries, P. Arora, Branko Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

A wide range (y = 0.05–0.33) of Co-doped LiCo_yMn_2–yO₄ spinels were synthesized and electrochemically characterized. These Co-doped spinels showed improved specific capacity and capacity retention over pure spinels. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the linear polarization resistance technique were used to determine the transport and electrochemical kinetic parameters of Co-doped spinels. The presence of Co in the spinel inhibits the passivation process occurring on the surface of the cathode. Also, Co increases the exchange current density and facilitates the charge-transfer reaction of the active material. The lower self-discharge observed for Co-doped spinels was attributed …

Characterization Of Hydrogen Permeation Through Zinc-Nickel Alloys Under Corroding Conditions: Mathematical Model And Experimental Study, M. Ramasubramanian, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

A mathematical model was developed for the characterization of hydrogen permeation into metals and alloys under corroding conditions. The model requires a knowledge of the corrosion rate of the given metal or alloy in solutions of various H⁺ concentrations. It provides quantitative values of rate constants of the hydrogen discharge, recombination, and adsorption reactions. This model can serve as a diagnostic criterion for determining the effectiveness of various metals and alloys as hydrogen permeation inhibitors and can be used for evaluation of hydrogen entry inhibition efficiency. Experiments were carried out to study the effectiveness of thin layers of electrodeposited …

Characterization Of Sol-Gel-Derived Cobalt Oxide Xerogels As Electrochemical Capacitors, Chuan Lin, James A. Ritter, Branko N. Popov

Faculty Publications

Very fine cobalt oxide xerogel powders were prepared using a unique solution chemistry associated with the sol-gel process. The effect of thermal treatment on the surface area, pore volume, crystallinity, particle structure, and corresponding electrochemical properties of the resulting xerogels was investigated and found to have significant effects on all of these properties. The xerogel remained amorphous as Co(OH)₂ up to 160°C, and exhibited maxima in both the surface area and pore volume at this temperature. With an increase in the temperature above 200°C, both the surface area and pore volume decreased sharply, because the amorphous Co(OH)₂ decomposed …

Theoretical Analysis Of Metal Hydride Electrodes: Studies On Equilibrium Potential And Exchange Current Density, Bala S. Haran, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

A theoretical model for the metal hydride electrode has been developed assuming that hydrogen diffusion in the alloy and charge-transfer at the surface control the discharge process. Theoretical equations for the dependence of equilibrium potential and exchange current density on the surface hydrogen concentration have been derived. These parameters have been used to correlate experimental data with the theoretical electrode discharge model. Analysis of both the experimental and theoretical discharge curves reveals a potential plateau determined by the magnitude of the interactions between the hydrogen in the alloy and the unhydrided metal. Neglecting these hydrogen-metal site interactions results in simulations …

Chromium Oxides And Lithiated Chromium Oxides. Promising Cathode Materials For Secondary Lithium Batteries, Pankaj Arora, Dong Zhang, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Chromium oxides and lithiated chromium oxides were synthesized by thermal decomposition of chromium trioxide (CrO₃) at high temperatures and oxygen pressures. Synthesis temperature and pressure markedly affect the performance of these cathode materials. Higher pressures lead to a higher O/Cr ratio and fewer impurities in the final product. These materials are stable intercalation hosts for lithium, and exhibit a higher capacity than any of the prominent positive electrodes used in secondary lithium batteries. m-CrO_x has a capacity of 255 mAh/g, while m-LiCrO_x has a capacity of 210 mAh/g, during the first discharge. The average …

Chromium Oxides And Lithiated Chromium Oxides. Promising Cathode Materials For Secondary Lithium Batteries, Pankaj Arora, Dong Zhang, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Chromium oxides and lithiated chromium oxides were synthesized by thermal decomposition of chromium trioxide (CrO₃) at high temperatures and oxygen pressures. Synthesis temperature and pressure markedly affect the performance of these cathode materials. Higher pressures lead to a higher O/Cr ratio and fewer impurities in the final product. These materials are stable intercalation hosts for lithium, and exhibit a higher capacity than any of the prominent positive electrodes used in secondary lithium batteries. m-CrO_x has a capacity of 255 mAh/g, while m-LiCrO_x has a capacity of 210 mAh/g, during the first discharge. The average …

The Effect Of Particle Size On The Discharge Performance Of A Nickel-Metal Hydride Cell, Jussi M. Heikonen, Harry J. Ploehn, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

We investigate the effect of particle size on the discharge performance of a nickel-metal hydride cell with a mathematical model. Electrodes with uniform as well as with nonuniform particle sizes are studied. With uniform particle size, the dependence of the particle-to-particle resistance on the particle size is taken into account. The optimal particle size depends on the discharge rate. Moreover, we show that under certain conditions it is advantageous to use a nonuniform particle size. In general, the higher the discharge current density, the more the particle size affects the electrode performance.

Measurement Of Thin Liquid Film Drainage Using A Novel High-Speed Impedance Analyzer, Kevin O. Hool, Robert C. Saunders, Harry J. Ploehn

Faculty Publications

This work describes the design and implementation of a new instrument, called the thin film impedance analyzer, which measures the rate of drainage of thin oil films. The instrument forms an oil film by elevating a planar oil–water interface into a water drop hanging from a stainless steel capillary tube immersed in the oil. The instrument measures the magnitude of the impedance of the matter between the capillary tube and a screen electrode immersed in the lower water phase. Under appropriate conditions, the capacitance of the oil film dominates the impedance. The instrument records the increase in the magnitude of …

A Nonisothermal Nickel‐Hydrogen Cell Model, Pauline De Vidts, Javier Delgado, B. Wu, D. M. See, K. Kosanovich, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Development Of A 3-D Finite Element Program For Pavement Analysis, Volume 2: Appendix 2, Tatsaba Nilaward, Chiang Shih, Thomas D. White, E. C. Ting

JTRP Technical Reports

A three dimensional finite element program is developed for the analysis of pavement systems. An explicit approach of the finite element analysis is adopted. This approach results in a vector formulation of the equation of motion. Large displacement is considered through the use of a co-rotational approach which considers small deformations and large rotations of the elements. For the convenience of application a two dimensional finite element program is also developed. An eight-node isoperimetric solid element is used for the three dimensional analysis, and a four-node element for the two dimensional analysis. Loading conditions are verified for static ramp and …

A Methodology For The Analysis Of Its Impacts On Mobility, Air Quality, And Land Use, Kumares C. Sinha, Srinivas Peeta, Muhammed Amer Sultan, Kamalakar Poonuru, Nadine-Jenelle K. Richards

JTRP Technical Reports

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is currently implementing (or has implemented) several components of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). This includes a mini Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) implemented on a three-mile stretch of the Borman Expressway to evaluate advanced non-intrusive sensor systems and the associated communication infrastructure for the installation of a full-scale ATMS on the 16-mile stretch of the Borman Expressway. Potential specific ITS technologies that are either being implemented or are being considered include pre-trip information, en-route information, variable message signs, and Hoosier Helpers. It is expected that the implementation of various ITS technologies on the Borman …

A Tool For Evaluating Access Control On High Speed Urban Arterials, Part Ii: User's Manual, Henry C. Brown, Samuel Labi, Andrzej P. Tarko, Jon D. Fricker

JTRP Technical Reports

A highway system serves two needs: mobility and accessibility. Access control techniques are used to restrict access to the highway and improve vehicle flow. The objective of this research was to develop a comprehensive procedure to evaluate access control alternatives. The procedure includes the design and quantitative evaluation of alternatives to select the best one. Evaluation of each alternative includes prediction of turning volumes, delays, crash rates, and economic effectiveness. Several existing models predict traffic delays for signalized intersections and for minor streams at unsignalized intersections. Models are needed to predict delays of arterial streams caused by minor streams at …

An Integrated Transportation Use Modeling System For Indiana; Implementation Report And User's Manual, Andrew Ying-Ming Yen, Jon D. Fricker

JTRP Technical Reports

The principle objective of this research was to develop an integrated model to represent the interrelationships between land use and transportation, subject to the requirements of the ISTEA of 1991 and the CAAA of 1990. The integrated model includes two major parts: a land-use allocation module and a travel demand module. An interface module has also been built to transform data between these two modules. The land-use allocation module consists of a residential location model, an employment location model, a land use potential model, and a land consumption model. One unique feature of the residential and employment location models is …

Modeling And Optimization Of The Indiana Lane Merge Control System On Approaches To Freeway Work Zones, Part I, Andrzej P. Tarko, Sreenivasulu R. Kanipakapatnam, Jason S. Wasson

JTRP Technical Reports

Severe traffic turbulence on entry sections of freeway work zones increases the delays and risk of crash. A new Indiana Department of Transportation system called Indiana Merge Lane System (IMLS) creates a dynamic no passing zone on the approach to the freeway work zone through the sequence of DO NOT PASS signs. The system is thought to encourage drivers to switch lanes well upstream of the discontinuous lane taper where the merging maneuver is safer and less intrusive. The IMLS is expected to impact drivers’ behavior, their perception of the traffic conditions, and traffic safety.

This research is focused on: …

Identification And Quantification Of Radionuclides In Coal Ash, James E. Alleman, Franklyn M. Clikeman, Thomas Skronski

JTRP Technical Reports

One of the important environmental issues raised recently in regard to coal ash reuse for highway construction purposes (e.g., embankment development) is that of worker, and public, exposure to radiation which might possibly be emitted by these types of residuals. Radiation emission is, in fact, a natural phenomenon for most materials, both natural and man-made, but in the case of coal ash residuals the process of combustion produces an inevitable concentration of radionuclides from the original virgin coal. INDOT’s corresponding environmental concern consequently focuses on the following basic question: does this magnification of radionuclides found within these coal ash residuals …